The WNBA has spent years trying to broaden its audience, but Tuesday night’s game between the Indiana Fever and Seattle Storm has generated attention for reasons that had little to do with basketball.
The controversy centers on allegations that two teenage fans supporting Indiana guard Sophie Cunningham were confronted by Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton during the game at Climate Pledge Arena.
Christian commentator Jon Root first described the incident in a post on X.
“I’m told that Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton confronted, verbally berated & cussed at the two young Sophie Cunningham supporters at the Fever vs Storm game Tuesday night,” Root wrote.
According to Root, Keaton called the girls “f****** insane” and said, “How dare you come here and pull this s***?” He further alleged that one of the girls, both reportedly 16 years old, was left crying after the exchange and that they put away the signs they had brought to support Cunningham.
BREAKING: I’m told that Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton confronted, verbally berated & cussed at the two young Sophie Cunningham supporters at the Fever vs Storm game Tuesday night.
Keaton called them “f****** insane” & said “How dare you come here and pull this s***?!”… pic.twitter.com/pLQ9g0jPz9
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) July 29, 2026
One of those signs reportedly read, “Thank You, Sophie, for Speaking Up for Girls.”
The incident followed a pregame rally organized by supporters of Cunningham outside the arena. According to OutKick, attendees gathered to express support for female-only athletic competition, an issue Cunningham has addressed publicly in recent interviews.
OutKick also reported that Cunningham was repeatedly booed throughout the game whenever she touched the ball.
Following the allegations, the Seattle Storm released a statement to Fox News Digital apologizing for the reported interaction.
“We are aware one of our co-owners made comments to two fans in attendance at last night’s game. We apologize that this happened. Everyone who attends a Storm game deserves to feel welcome, and we remain committed to creating an inclusive environment where every fan is treated with respect.”
The way @seattlestorm fans, players, and even an owner treated teenage girls today for the simple act of wearing @xx_xyathletics shirts and cheering on @sophaller was beyond disgusting. They were cussed at, booed, and intentionally tripped. One of them was berated until she… pic.twitter.com/C7gi0jKhsV
— Brandi Kruse (@BrandiKruse) July 29, 2026
Root also alleged that another fan seated near the teenagers criticized them for wearing shirts from XX-XY Athletics, an organization that advocates for maintaining women’s sports based on biological sex.
According to Root, the woman described the shirts as “ugly” while displaying a sign reading, “No Hate in These United States.”
XX-XY Athletics describes its mission on its website by stating, “Women deserve the opportunities that sports and single sex spaces provide. Sex matters. It is the single biggest determinant of athletic performance. It is unfair and dangerous to allow males (XY) to compete in girls and women’s (XX) sports.”
Root credited Seattle-area journalist and podcaster Brandi Kruse with providing details of the encounter. Kruse said she attended the game and helped organize the rally supporting Cunningham.
Last night, @seattlestorm co-owner Celeste Keaton cursed out two teen girls for wearing @xx_xyathletics shirts, calling them “f*cking insane.” One of them was left in tears. I tried to get security involved and was told I should email the front office. pic.twitter.com/Qi8TcfRtYB
— Brandi Kruse (@BrandiKruse) July 29, 2026
“The way @seattlestorm fans, players, and even an owner treated teenage girls today for the simple act of wearing @xx_xyathletics shirts and cheering on @sophaller was beyond disgusting,” Kruse wrote on X.
She alleged that the girls were “cussed at, booed, and intentionally tripped,” adding that one teenager was berated until she cried.
The following day, Kruse published additional reporting, including a video interview with the two girls.
“It’s disappointing, she’s also a woman,” one of the teenagers said of the reported interaction with Keaton. “She just kind of cussed out two 16-year-olds that were just trying to have fun. We weren’t trying to be political. We were just trying to support Sophie.”
